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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    19 High Protein Meals That Are Anything But Ordinary

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 3, 2025, updated April 3, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding high-protein meals that stand out can be a challenge, especially when you're tired of the same old options. These 19 meals offer a variety of flavors and ingredients that will keep your meals exciting while helping you meet your protein needs. From juicy steak to vegetarian dishes and seafood options, there's something here for everyone looking to spice up their dinner routine.

    Cheesy Steak Pasta Casserole

    Steak pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish features a creamy steak and mushroom pasta paired with a cheesy casserole. It's a comforting yet classy dinner that you can whip up in just 45 minutes, all in one pan to keep cleanup easy.

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    Air Fryer Steak Bites

    Air Fryer Steak Bites.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Juicy air fryer steak bites are a quick and tasty dinner option that you can whip up in under 10 minutes. Marinated in lemon juice, soy sauce, honey, and herbs, these flavorful bites turn any cut of steak into something tender and delicious.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Stuffed with Feta Cheese

    Feta stuffed chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken filets are filled with Feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil, giving a tasty twist to your usual chicken dinner. This dish is a great way to enjoy a protein-rich meal that’s anything but dull.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Sliced flank steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Flank Steak is quick and easy, taking only 8-10 minutes to prepare. The marinade gives it great flavor while keeping the meat juicy and tender.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken

    Honey Mustard Chicken in a stainless steel pan.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

    This Honey Mustard Chicken skillet is a tasty meal that you can whip up in just 30 minutes. It's all made in one pan, making it easy to serve with rice, potatoes, or your favorite roasted vegetables.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Shrimp Carbonara is a delicious dinner option that features creamy pasta paired with perfectly cooked shrimp. It's a flavorful meal that's simple to prepare without any cream.

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    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is super easy to prepare with just four ingredients and some ready-made options. You can have it ready in 5 minutes and on the table in under 40.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Halloumi with Ratatouille

    Halloumi and ratatouille in a bowl.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    This easy one-pot dish is sure to be a regular in your dinner rotation. Packed with protein, it offers a satisfying and enjoyable meal without much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Chicken Pasta with Red Wine & Mushrooms

    Red wine chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Creamy Chicken Pasta is a quick and tasty meal that you can whip up in just 30 minutes. Packed with flavors from red wine, mushrooms, and thyme, it's a filling dish that's great for dinner or leftovers for lunch.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer T-Bone Steak with Homemade Garlic Butter

    T-bone steak with garlic butter.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Flavorful T-bone steaks can be made quickly in your air fryer for an easy meal. Serve them with homemade garlic butter or your favorite sauce for a satisfying dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp and Orzo

    15-Minute Shrimp and Orzo
    Photo credit: Tried and True

    Shrimp and orzo come together in a simple dish that's both quick to prepare and full of flavor. It's a satisfying meal that won't take much time to whip up.

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    Gorgonzola Tortellini Casserole

    Gorgonzola tortellini casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This tortellini casserole is perfect for cheese and pasta fans. With a mix of two cheeses, a zesty kick from Gorgonzola, and a satisfying crunch from walnuts, it comes together in under 40 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

    A casserole dish full of spinach artichoke casserole.
    Photo credit: Nibble and Dine.

    This casserole is creamy and simple to prepare with rotisserie chicken and frozen vegetables. It's done in less than an hour, making it a great option for a quick and filling dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Pork Chops with Red Wine & Mushrooms

    Cast iron skillet pork chops.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Cast Iron Pork Chops are full of flavor from garlic, mushrooms, and thyme, all cooked in red wine for a juicy meal in just 25 minutes. This is a satisfying dinner option that stands out from the usual fare.

    Get the recipe

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

    Marry me chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy dish full of flavors like crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, paprika, and oregano. It's simple to prepare with just a few dried herbs and little prep time.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff

    Chicken and mushroom stroganoff with sour cream in a sour cream sauce.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff is a creamy dish packed with Eastern European flavors that you can whip up in just 30 minutes. It's a hearty meal that provides comfort without taking up too much of your time.

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    Spanish Chicken Stew

    Spanish chicken stew with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This chicken stew is quick to make with pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, brightened up with zesty lemon and aromatic rosemary. It's a flavorful dish that’s perfect for a cozy meal.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken

    Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Add Salt & Serve.

    This chicken is incredibly tender and smothered in a creamy peanut sauce that's packed with flavor. With just five simple ingredients for the sauce, you can quickly prepare this dish by mixing everything together, pouring it over the chicken, and letting it cook in the slow cooker.

    Get the Recipe

    One-Pot Greek Salmon with Feta & Peppers

    A plate of rice, salmon and veggies.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    This dinner features a tasty salmon dish that’s full of protein and flavor, all cooked together with rice in one pot. It's a simple and satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      25 Flavorful Crockpot Recipes for Stress-Free Evenings
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      21 Cheap Casseroles That Are Perfect for Feeding a Crowd
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      22 Quick and Delicious Pasta Recipes for Lazy Summer Nights

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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